ID theft in California the subject of report by Identity Theft 911

California state identity theft hits second place in the USA with high instances of employment and credit card fraud reported

A comprehensive study exploring the identity theft crisis in California has been released by Identity Theft 911, a leading provider of identity management solutions. In addition to detailing the increasing diversity of identity-related fraud, the white paper highlights steps that state officials and businesses are taking to combat this growing problem.

“Each year, more and more consumers fall victim to various forms of this insidious crime. This report puts a spotlight on California, highlighting several issues that are likely responsible for driving up these numbers in the state,” said Judd Rousseau, Chief Fraud Officer of Identity Theft 911. “However, California legislators and government officials, law enforcement officers and non-profit groups are taking aggressive steps to fight identity theft as highlighted in this report.”

“The fact is that identity theft is a growing problem,” said Linda Foley, Founder of Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). “There are a lot of people being hurt by this crime (in terms of) businesses and as individuals.”

According to study's analysis of the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) complaints, nearly 1.5 million Californians were victims of identity theft in 2007, which is equivalent to 15 Rose Bowl stadiums of spectators having their identities stolen in one year. While stealing phone and utility services, and taking money through checking account takeovers or illegal money transfers, account for a vast majority of identity fraud-related activity, the report finds that certain groups in California are responsible for the continued increase in fraud cases in the state.

California ranks highly due to its regional characteristics. In the state's central valley’s farmlands, undocumented workers account for the increased rates of employment-related identity theft as they rely on stolen or fraudulent social security numbers to secure employment. California is breed to a new generation of car thieves who’ve traded hot-wiring tools for fake checkbooks and stolen identities—a problem that state highway patrol officers responsible for investigating auto-related fraud are seeing increased activity.

Gang members and organized crime, meanwhile, have discovered identity theft as a means of generating off-the-books income, as have addicts hooked on methamphetamines, a habit for which identity theft is nicely suited. In addition, California metro areas are rich for data mining. California Treasurer Bill Lockyer, who served as the state’s Attorney General from 1998 through 2006, says Californians ought to take the identity theft problem “very seriously.” “It’s very costly on people’s time and wallet,” he adds.

While identity theft continues to plague the state, California’s heightened response to this crime is cause for optimism, according to the report. Collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies, state and district attorneys, nonprofit organizations and the California legislature has made California a model state for identity theft deterrence.

“Identity theft will continue to be a problem requiring individuals, businesses and government agencies to be constantly vigilant,” said Debra Bowen, California Secretary of State. “We all need to do a better job of protecting sensitive personal information and purging data that we don’t need, especially information in ‘electronic filing cabinets.’”